QT
On the average, how much does a typical wedding cost? you know, the usual stuff-cake, flowers, dress,tux, hall, food,etc. for only a small group of people though, like around 75-100
Answer
A wedding costs precisely as much as you're willing to spend on it.
People talk about how the national average cost of a wedding is well over $20,000, but that's the average of responses to a voluntary poll in the back of a bridal magazine. You can bet not a lot of people who held inimate backyard gatherings or were complete DIY queens answered that one!
Instead of worrying what the average is, figure out what you have available to spend and then see how far you can stretch that budget. And here are a few tips to make your budget stretch like rubber:
1: DIY is your friend. Many things that are common at weddings can be made at home. A simple bouquet is not difficult to tie. If you're unsure of your abilities, do a test run. Just stick to a simple style and you'll be okay. For instance, my bridesmaids and I carried sheaf-style bouquets. All we needed was long-stemmed flowers and some ribbon. That's it, and they looked beautiful. Also, carrying a single fabulous long-stemmed bloom means all you have to do is tie a ribbon. Self-catering can be simple and good. Again, just stick to easy foods and/or get some close friends and relatives to help out.
2: Don't fear unusual sources. If you find terrific vases or candle holders at the dollar store or a garage sale, snag them! Thrift stores sometimes have gorgeous wedding gowns going for $20 - $35. EBay has shops where you can get wedding and bridesmaids gowns made custom for a pittance. Seek out bargains, and they will come to you.
3: Slice clutter out of your budget. Sit down with your guy and decide on one or two things each you won't compromise on. This can be anything: the site you love, your gown, live music, the food you'd like to serve, literally anything. Once you have your shortlist of priorities, look at everything else. Cut back or cut out anything that doesn't matter to you, isn't legally necessary, and doesn't tend to the comfort of your guests. If you really don't care about flowers, cut them back to a minimum and don't apologize. You don't mind about limos? Don't have one. Cutting way back on how much food is available, however, is not a good idea. Hungry guests will grumble as they make their way out into the night to get a Micky D meal after your reception.
4: If it says 'wedding', you can get it cheaper elsewhere. And don't get personalized anything. Personalized ribbons don't cost that much...but once you have the ribbons and the matchbooks and the balloons, it adds up to budget busters.
5: Pick a pretty site, and ditch a lot of extra decorations. Because I was married in a gorgeous redwood grove, I was able to spend a mere $35 on flowers. We didn't need a lot of decorating. No crepe paper, no lights, no decorative items other than the flowers, either. So find a lovely spot and let it speak for itself. The local high school gym may come cheap, but it's going to cost a fortune to decorate and in the end it will look like a decorated gym.
6: In the end, the thing that really makes or breaks the day for most wedding guests is whether the bride and groom look relaxed and happy. Do whatever it takes to find your zen spot and be at peace with what you have created. Whether you need complete control over every detail (hey, it worked for me!) or want someone else to take everything off your hands, or something in between, find the approach that will allow you to have a good time at your wedding. After all, you only want to do this once, so you might as well enjoy it!
Best of luck to you and your intended! I'm sure you'll have a lovely wedding and a great marriage!
A wedding costs precisely as much as you're willing to spend on it.
People talk about how the national average cost of a wedding is well over $20,000, but that's the average of responses to a voluntary poll in the back of a bridal magazine. You can bet not a lot of people who held inimate backyard gatherings or were complete DIY queens answered that one!
Instead of worrying what the average is, figure out what you have available to spend and then see how far you can stretch that budget. And here are a few tips to make your budget stretch like rubber:
1: DIY is your friend. Many things that are common at weddings can be made at home. A simple bouquet is not difficult to tie. If you're unsure of your abilities, do a test run. Just stick to a simple style and you'll be okay. For instance, my bridesmaids and I carried sheaf-style bouquets. All we needed was long-stemmed flowers and some ribbon. That's it, and they looked beautiful. Also, carrying a single fabulous long-stemmed bloom means all you have to do is tie a ribbon. Self-catering can be simple and good. Again, just stick to easy foods and/or get some close friends and relatives to help out.
2: Don't fear unusual sources. If you find terrific vases or candle holders at the dollar store or a garage sale, snag them! Thrift stores sometimes have gorgeous wedding gowns going for $20 - $35. EBay has shops where you can get wedding and bridesmaids gowns made custom for a pittance. Seek out bargains, and they will come to you.
3: Slice clutter out of your budget. Sit down with your guy and decide on one or two things each you won't compromise on. This can be anything: the site you love, your gown, live music, the food you'd like to serve, literally anything. Once you have your shortlist of priorities, look at everything else. Cut back or cut out anything that doesn't matter to you, isn't legally necessary, and doesn't tend to the comfort of your guests. If you really don't care about flowers, cut them back to a minimum and don't apologize. You don't mind about limos? Don't have one. Cutting way back on how much food is available, however, is not a good idea. Hungry guests will grumble as they make their way out into the night to get a Micky D meal after your reception.
4: If it says 'wedding', you can get it cheaper elsewhere. And don't get personalized anything. Personalized ribbons don't cost that much...but once you have the ribbons and the matchbooks and the balloons, it adds up to budget busters.
5: Pick a pretty site, and ditch a lot of extra decorations. Because I was married in a gorgeous redwood grove, I was able to spend a mere $35 on flowers. We didn't need a lot of decorating. No crepe paper, no lights, no decorative items other than the flowers, either. So find a lovely spot and let it speak for itself. The local high school gym may come cheap, but it's going to cost a fortune to decorate and in the end it will look like a decorated gym.
6: In the end, the thing that really makes or breaks the day for most wedding guests is whether the bride and groom look relaxed and happy. Do whatever it takes to find your zen spot and be at peace with what you have created. Whether you need complete control over every detail (hey, it worked for me!) or want someone else to take everything off your hands, or something in between, find the approach that will allow you to have a good time at your wedding. After all, you only want to do this once, so you might as well enjoy it!
Best of luck to you and your intended! I'm sure you'll have a lovely wedding and a great marriage!
Homecoming Dress?
Jojo
Hello, I am looking for any websites that sell Homecoming dresses for under 50 dollars. Even formal dresses work too!
If you know any places in the Sacramento, CA area that sells dresses on clearance/sale for under $40, that'd work too!
Thanks!
Answer
I got my wedding dress off of eBay for around $75. I loved it too. You're probably to young to have an eBay account, but ask your parent or someone if they can help you out if you find a dress on there that you like.
Also, when I was in high school I found all my prom dresses on there; all for under $50.
I got my wedding dress off of eBay for around $75. I loved it too. You're probably to young to have an eBay account, but ask your parent or someone if they can help you out if you find a dress on there that you like.
Also, when I was in high school I found all my prom dresses on there; all for under $50.
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